Pagoda is a favorite through the generations

Tested and approved. And at a reasonable price.

Those factors keep local folks coming back to the Pagoda Hotel & Restaurant, the winner for best-value hotel.

"That's important to us because we know we're offering a good product at an excellent price," said Ed Saunders, general manager at the Pagoda. "Also, its location is convenient - it's around the shopping mecca of the Pacific - and we're very close to hospitals and medical facilities."

The Pagoda Hotel & Restaurant, located at 1525 Rycroft St. near Ala Moana Center, is locally owned and operated. The landmark hotel, which is 42 years old, offers rooms starting at a kamaaina rate of $80.

"The exciting thing is we're actually a third-generation hotel, which means we've been servicing three generations of families," Saunders added. "And that's exciting because when someone is enjoying a product or service and they incorporate it into their family values, it gets carried on from one generation to another."

Familiarity seems to be a key factor in making a company or person successful. Sports anchors, too. With 16 years on the tube, KITV sports director Robert Kekaula has been around much longer than his counterparts Kanoa Leahey (KHON), Liz Chun (KGMB) and Russell Yamanoha (KHNL). The 1983 graduate of Kamehameha Schools was voted best sports person.

"I think I'm a favorite with the locals because I'm the old fut of the bunch," Kekaula said. "Honestly, I'm humbled by this award. I hope it means that the work I'm doing is appreciated, and I hope it means that the effort that goes into it is recognized."

Kekaula said he's learned to become a believer in second chances.

"I've made mistakes along the way, and I've paid for them, but I've never made the same mistake twice," he said. "If it weren't for my current general manager, Mike Rosenberg, I don't know if I would be a believer in second chances."

Other winners are:

Paul Brown (beauty salon), Supercuts (barber shop), Halekulani (luxury hotel), Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa (massage), Jiffy Lube (oil change), Roto-Rooter (plumbing), Ala Wai Golf Course (public golf course), Panda Travel (travel agency), KHON-2 (TV station and news team), KSSK (radio station), Perry & Price (radio personality), Caesars Cleaners (dry cleaner), Alert Alarm of Hawaii (home security), Public Storage (self storage) and Bank of Hawaii (financial services).

Barber Shop 1. Super Cuts 14 locations on Oahu www.supercuts.com 2. Fantastic Sam's 11 locations on Oahu www.fantasticsams.com 3.Thom's Barber Ala Moana Shopping Center, 949-6081	Beauty Salon 1. Paul Brown 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., 591-1881 94-799 Lumiaina, 677-7770 25 Maluniu Ave., 230-2000 www.paulbrownhawaii.com 2. Fantastic Sam's 11 locations on Oahu www.fantasticsams.com 3. Macy's 8 locations on Oahu www.macys.com
Luxury Hotel 1. Halekulani 2199 Kalia Rd., 923-2311 www.halekulani.com 2. J W Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina 92-1001 Olani Street, 679-0079 www.ihilani.com 3. Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii 5000 Kahala Ave., 739 8888 www.mandarinoriental.com	Value Hotel 1. Pagoda Hotel & Restaurant 1525 Rycroft, 941-6611 www.pagodahotel.com 2. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts 1-800-OUTRIGGER www.outrigger.com 3. Ohana 1-800-462-6262 www.ohanahotels.com
Financial Services 1. Bank of Hawaii 41 locations on Oahu www.boh.com 2. First Hawaiian Bank 42 locations on Oahu www.fhb.com 3. Smith Barney www.smithbarney.com	Child Care 1. Kamaaina Kids 888-34KIDS4 (345-4374) 262-4538 www.kamaainakids.com 2. YMCA 531-3558 www.ymcahonolulu.org 3. A+ 737-5544 www.afterschoolalliance.org
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Kamaaina Kids teaches keiki about recycling by giving them a dollar for redeeming their bottles and cans.
Plumbing 1. Roto-Rooter 800-GET-ROTO www.rotorooter.com 2. Diamond Head Plumbing Downtown, 599-2933 Kaimuki, 734-4344 Aina Haina, 373-9012 Aiea, 486-3332 3. Kamaaina Plumbing 940B Queen St., 597-8585 2298 Alahao Pl., Unit North, 842-4424 www.contractors.com/ KamaainaPlumbingInc	Oil Change 1. Jiffy Auto Lube 98-199 Kamehameha Hwy., 488-5433 1489 Punchbowl, 599-5433 2550 South Beretania St., 951-5433 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy., 236-2255 555 North King St., 843-0115 www.jiffylubehawaii.com 2. Midas Auto Service Experts 7 locations on Oahu www.midashawaii.com 3. Lex Brodie's Tire Co. 94-169 Farrington Hwy., 671-4561 701 Queen, 536-9381 333 Kalihi, 841-6040 98-115 Kamehameha Hwy., 484-5680 or dial 949-4LEX www.lexbrodies.com
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Jiffy Lube is the choice if you want your oil changed, well, in a jiffy. Marie Zukemura makes sure it's done right.
Travel Agency 1. Panda Travel 1017 Kapahulu Ave., 734-1961 www.pandaonline.com 2. Vacations Hawaii 800-244-4752 www.boydvacationshawaii.com 3. Non-Stop Travel 1350 S. King St., Suite 101, 593-0700 www.nonstophawaii.com	Massage 1. Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa Ala Moana Shopping Center, 947-6141 www.aveda.com 2. Heaven on Earth Salon & Day Spa 1050 Alakea St., 599-5501 www.heavenonearthhawaii.com 3. Massage Specialists 1750 Kalakaua Ave., Apt 512, 941-8101 www.massage-specialists.com
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Sessions at Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa are perfect for making yourself or someone you love feel great. Armida Morales, Christine Jarboe, Mary Dequina, Lux Higashida and Letitia Thomas have the right stuff.
Home Security 1. Alert Alarm of Hawaii 2668 Waiwai Loop, 521-5000 www.alertalarmhawaii.com 2. Security Alarm Shop, Inc. 705 Queen Street, 523-0121 593 Kamehameha Hwy. , 455-7200 www.secalarm.com 3. Sentinel Alarm Co., Inc. 99-1036 Iwaena St. Aiea, 487-0007 24 Hours, 7 days a week, 487-0088 www.sentinelhawaii.com	Radio Station 1. 92.3 KSSK www.ksskradio.com 2. Star 101.9 www.star1019fm.com 3. Hot I-93.9 FM www.i-94.net
Radio Personality 1. Perry & Price 2. (tie) Auggie & Lanai 2. (tie) Hudson & Scotty B.	TV Station 1. KHON www.khon2.com 2. KGMB www.kgmb.com 3. KITV www.thehawaiichannel.com
TV News Team 1. KHON www.khon2.com 2. KGMB www.kgmb.com 3. KITV www.thehawaiichannel.com	Sports Person 1. Robert Kekaula www.thehawaiichannel.com 2. Kanoa Leahey www.khon2.com 3. Bobby Curran www.sportsradio1420.com
Public Golf Course 1. Ala Wai Golf Course 404 Kapahulu Ave., 733-7387 www.honolulu.gov/des/ golf/alawai.htm 2. Ko Olina Golf Club 92-1220 Aliinui Dr., 676-5300 www.koolinagolf.com 3. Olomana Golf Links 41-1801 Kalanianaole Hwy., 259-9971 www.olomanagolflinks.com	Dry Cleaner 1. Caesars Cleaners 6 locations on Oahu 2. Hakuyasha 18 locations on Oahu www.hakuyosha.com 3. Al Phillips The Cleaners www.alphillips.com
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM The Ala Wai Golf Course is one of America's busiest, and it's Hawaii's favorite public course.
Self Storage 1. Public Storage 877-788-2028 www.publicstorage.com 2. Hawaii Self Storage 949-safe www.hawaiiselfstorage.net 3. A American Self Storage 720 South St., 533-3900 1632 Hart St., 847-3900 98-710 Kuahao Pl., 487-3868 www.aamericanselfstorage.com
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Caesars Cleaners has six locations on Oahu. What's Zach Schwing and Cos. motto? Good, fast, cheap.